SEATTLE – The legend had been established before the first snap. The knees of opposing quarterbacks would knock at the sight of the Rams’ defensive front. Sacks would be too plentiful to count.

Perhaps something significant got overlooked in the hyperbole: Did the Rams improve their run defense?

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That was an issue at times last season, and emerged again Sunday, when Seattle ran for 190 yards and consistently seemed to win battles at the line of scrimmage against the Rams’ defensive front. Chris Carson gained 116 yards on 19 carries while Mike Davis gained 68 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.

Eventually, the Rams figured it out. They shut out the Seahawks in the fourth quarter and held them to only two first downs, allowing the Rams’ offense to rally with nine points and hold on for the victory.

“We got everything together,” lineman Michael Brockers said. “We got on the sideline, came together and just talked about how we needed to improve as a defense and do better for our offense. Our offense did a (heck) of a job today and we just wanted to step up for those guys, most importantly.”

There are some clear issues, though. After a second-week shutout of Arizona, the Rams now have allowed a total of 85 points in their last three games. A Seattle team that hadn’t scored more than 24 points in a game this season put up 31 on the Rams, who were presumed to be bulletproof just a few weeks ago.

The problems started up front, in the Seattle run game, and the Rams also had a tough time containing quarterback Russell Wilson, at least until the fourth quarter. The Seahawks seemed unimpressed.

“They haven’t seen a team that’s played physical,” Seattle guard D.J. Fluker said. “They want to be pass rushers. They haven’t seen a team go out there and actually take it to them every single play.”

The game, in some ways, mirrored the previous one against Minnesota, although this week Seattle exposed the Rams’ run defense a bit more. Problems also remain in the pass-defense game. Cornerback Marcus Peters, who is playing through a calf strain, got beat in coverage several times.

Seattle scored two touchdowns in the third quarter against a Rams defense that previously had shown good adjustments, and had allowed only two second-half touchdowns in their first four games.

The Rams also mirrored the Vikings game in a positive way. Last Thursday, Minnesota had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie or win the game. Then, like Sunday, the Rams were stout.

“The defense stepped up when we needed it, similar to last week,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “Same thing. They grind and grind and grind, then step up and win the game. These wins are tough on the road.”

SCARY INJURIES

Rams receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp left the game with concussions in the first half. Cooks received a big hit from Seattle safety Tedric Thompson in the second quarter. Kupp suffered his concussion at an unknown time.

“They’re doing really well right now,” McVay said after the game. “Obviously they will be in the protocol, but in terms of the way they checked out, signs are pointing in a positive direction, if that means anything. I know if you’re still experiencing those symptoms, then that’s when you’re starting to get concerned. Those guys feel good. They were able to have normal conversations in the locker room.”

The Rams were left with only three receivers: veteran Robert Woods, second-year player Josh Reynolds and undrafted free agent KhaDarel Hodge. Woods did the expected and thrived, as he finished with 5 catches for 92 yards and also had a 56-yard run.

After the Rams fell behind 24-17 in the third quarter, Reynolds had catches of 22 and 17 yards, and a 10-yard run, on three consecutive plays. The Rams scored a touchdown on that drive. Hodge had a catch for a first down in the fourth quarter, on the drive that led to the game-winning field goal.

“That’s what we call a unit,” Woods said, “when guys come in and step in and make plays.”

COMEBACK KID

Rams kicker Cairo Santos nearly had a nightmare debut. Santos made his first three extra points and a short field goal, but then badly shanked a fourth-quarter extra point that would have tied the game 31-31.

Eight minutes later, though, Santos kicked a 39-yard field goal that gave the Rams their winning margin.

“It was a blessing to get another opportunity in the same game to redeem myself,” Santos said. “Sometimes you don’t get that chance and you have to go another whole week thinking about it and wanting another opportunity. This team is special with the way everybody had my back. I didn’t see a look in anybody’s face of disbelief in me.”

It could be the only Rams game for Santos, who was signed this week to replace Sam Ficken as Greg Zuerlein’s injury replacement. Zuerlein is expected to return soon, perhaps in time for next week’s game at Denver, but if nothing else, Santos has left a positive impression of himself.

“That was impressive, man,” Goff said. “For a guy that’s been on our team for one week to not flinch and not blink, after he misses a PAT, then comes back and makes the game-winner, it’s huge.”

Rams linebacker Mark Barron, who missed the first four games as he recovered from offseason Achilles surgery, started and recorded a team-high nine tackles. Barron said he didn’t officially decide until shortly before the game that he would be able to play.

“Personally, I still don’t feel like I’m back to my game speed,” Barron said. “I feel like I played well, considering that I hadn’t played ball in eight months. I haven’t run full speed in eight months, so I feel like I played well considering that, but I didn’t feel like I was back to my top speed.”

HONORING ALLEN

Rams coaches and staff members wore green ribbons in honor of Seahawks owner Paul Allen, who announced this week that he is battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the second time.

“Those are the things that give you real perspective on life, when you’ve got something like that going on,” McVay said. “We wish him nothing but the best.”

Rich Hammond was a high school senior when the Rams left town in 1995, and now he's their beat writer for the Southern California News Group. A native of L.A., Rich broke in at the Daily Breeze as a college freshman and also has covered USC, the Kings, the Lakers and the Dodgers. He still loves sports and telling stories. Don't take the sarcastic tweets too seriously.

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